Sharm El Sheikh is a kind place to bring children. The bays are sheltered, the sea is warm for most of the year, and on many beaches the coral starts a few metres from the sand, so even a five-minute swim can end in a shoal of yellow fish. Most trips are short and many include hotel pickup. What changes from family to family is how old the children are and how happy they are in the water. This guide sorts the things to do in Sharm El Sheikh by age, with what we'd check before booking each one.
Three things to check before you book
- The age on the trip page. Only some listings state a minimum age. The banana boat and the bumper tube at Sharm El Maya take riders from age 4; for everything else, read the trip page or ask before you book rather than assuming.
- How you get there. Some trips include hotel pickup and some meet you at the jetty; the trip page says which. If you need a car seat for a small child, ask first: don't expect one to be in the car.
- The time of day. The sea is often calmer in the morning, before the wind picks up, and the heat is gentler. Little ones do best with an early slot and an afternoon in the shade.
Under 4: see the reef and stay dry
For toddlers, the easiest way to meet the Red Sea is through a window. The glass-bottom boat over the Naama Bay reefs is listed for all ages with no swimming: you sit on the boat while coral and fish slide past under the glass hull. There is a second glass-bottom boat along the Sharm coast from Sharm El Maya, about 1 hour on the water with a guide explaining what you're looking at. Both are short enough for a small attention span.
The submarine tour of the coral reef goes a step further: you go below the surface and watch through large viewing windows, about 1.5 hours in all. Children usually love the moment the water closes over the windows; a few find it strange, so sit near the stairs if yours is unsure. Back on land, a seated show such as the dolphin and sea lion show, about 45 minutes with hotel pickup, keeps a small child busy without any water at all.
Ages 4 to 8: first rides and first fish
This is the age of the first big splash. The banana boat at Sharm El Maya takes up to six riders, and the bumper tube ride up to three; both state riders from age 4, both put everyone in a life jacket, and each ride lasts about 10 minutes. Let the child sit between two adults the first time and agree on a hand signal for "slower". A pedal boat, about an hour at your own pace with two seats, is the calmer version.
For a first snorkel, keep it short and shallow. Ras Mohammed by bus is a good family choice: about 5 hours in all, the park fee and the snorkelling gear included, a guide in the water and free time on the beach, so nobody spends hours on a boat. A child who is not a confident swimmer should wear a life jacket or a snorkel vest. A mask that fits a small face makes all the difference, so if you have one from home, bring it.
Ages 9 to 12: a whole day at sea
By nine or ten most children can handle a full boat day, and it is often the day they remember. The Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trip leaves at 08:30 and is back around 16:30, with two guided snorkel stops, gear, lunch and the park fee included, and hotel pickup. The Tiran Island boat day is similar, with the reefs of the Strait of Tiran instead; snorkel gear and wetsuits there are hired separately. On any boat, the shaded deck is where you'll spend the middle of the day, and a rash vest saves a lot of sunburn on backs.
Two quieter ideas for this age: the guided stand-up paddle, about an hour with an instructor and listed for all levels, and beach horse riding at Nabq, where a guide rides alongside and beginners are welcome. The 17:00 ride finishes in the sunset. Neither listing gives a minimum age, so check the trip page first.
Teenagers: engines and a bit of adrenaline
Teenagers usually want speed. Go-karting at an outdoor circuit has a 6.5 HP kart meant for anyone and a quicker 9 HP one, with live timing screens that settle family arguments. Paintball and the desert quad safari are popular with this age too; our quad safari guide explains how to choose between a quad and a buggy and whether a teenager can ride as a passenger. Parasailing is another favourite, but listings don't state an age, and one operator notes it is not suitable in pregnancy or with some medical conditions: ask before you book.
Heat, sun and the water temperature
Sharm hardly ever sees rain, so planning is about heat. In July and August daytime highs average about 37 °C and the sea is around 28 °C: plan outings for the morning or late afternoon, and keep the middle of the day for the pool and the shade. In winter the sea drops to about 21–23 °C, which is fine for a quick swim but chilly for a long snorkel; a shorty wetsuit keeps children happy in the water for much longer.
| Age | Good fits | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4 | Glass-bottom boats, submarine, a seated show | No swimming needed; short sessions |
| 4 to 8 | Banana boat, bumper tube, pedal boat, Ras Mohammed by bus | Banana and tube from age 4; life jackets on |
| 9 to 12 | Full boat days to Ras Mohammed or Tiran, paddleboarding, beach horse riding | Bring a rash vest; check what gear is included |
| Teenagers | Go-karting, quad safari, paintball, parasailing | Ask about minimum ages before booking |
If you're weighing up costs for a family, our guide to excursion prices in Sharm explains what is usually included and what isn't, and which tickets are per person. Everything here is on the Sharm El Sheikh excursions page, where you can filter by type.
Family-friendly trips to start with
questions, answered
What can toddlers do in Sharm El Sheikh?
Anything that shows the reef without swimming: the glass-bottom boats and the submarine tour. A pedal boat in a calm bay or a seated show also work well for very small children.
What is the minimum age for the banana boat or tube?
On the banana boat at Sharm El Maya and the bumper tube ride, riders from age 4 can join, in life jackets. Other water rides don't state an age, so check each trip page.
From what age can children go parasailing?
The listings don't say. Ask the operator before you book; one listing notes that parasailing isn't suitable in pregnancy or with some medical conditions.
Is snorkelling OK for a 6-year-old?
Often, yes, if they're comfortable in the water: keep it short, use a life jacket or snorkel vest, and pick a trip with a guide in the water and a gentle entry, such as Ras Mohammed by bus.
Do pickups have car seats for small children?
The trip pages don't say, so don't assume one. Ask before you book if you need a car seat.
What's the best time of day with kids in summer?
Morning. It's cooler, the sea is often calmer before the wind picks up, and you're back by lunch. The late afternoon is the second choice.
